RUTHIN Craft Centre in Denbighshire has been shortlisted for the Art Fund Prize for museums and galleries, the UK’s largest arts prize worth £100,000.

This year for the first time, fans of the shortlisted museums can vote online and have their say about who the winner of the prize should be.Š

Ruthin Craft Centre is the most important gallery for contemporary craft in Wales and in 2008 the 25-year-old venue reopened its doors in a stunning new building, designed by award-winning architects Sergison Bates.

It is a joint project between the Arts Council of Wales and Denbighshire County Council, and is home to three galleries hosting exhibitions from public and private collections, with works made by Welsh, British and international artists.

The judges were impressed by the excellence of the centre’s exhibitions and publications programme and by the energy and enthusiasm of its small team.

And now the public can be a judge too – from today Denbighshire residents can log on to the Guardian website at www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign and give their support to Ruthin Craft Centre.

The winner of the People’s Choice poll will count as one vote when the panel of seven judges make their decision on the winner.

Philip Hughes, centre director, said: “To be on the shortlist of four is amazing news.

“We are all very excited and know that everyone will be delighted by this announcement.”